9 independent watchmakers join Geneva’s luxury watch fair at SIHH 2016

Sep 1 , 2015

By Vivian Chen

Expect major changes at next year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland. Organisers just announced that nine independent watchmakers will be added to its list of exhibitors for the 26th edition SIHH, which runs from Jan 18 to Jan 22, 2016.

The annual luxury watch fair organised by Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) showcases 15 luxury watch maisons including Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre that fall under Richemont Group umbrella as well as independent watchmakers such as Audemars Piguet and Parmigiani every year.

For its 26th edition however, SIHH has added a new Carré des Horlogers series featuring nine celebrated indie watchmakers –Laurent Ferrier, MB&F, Urwerk, Christophe Claret, De Bethune, H.Moser & Cie, Hautlence, HYT and Kari Voutilainen.

The exhibition hall is expected to expand in order to house a total of 24 exhibitors. FHH says in a statement that the exhibition hall will have “a sleeker, contemporary accent”. The addition to the roster, FHH says in the statement, showcases the nine artisan-creators, independent workshops and representatives of watchmaking’s “new guards”.

Read Style’s award-winning feature on Independent Watchmakers here.

Follow the story as Style takes a look at the rise of subtle luxurious timepieces that highlight craftsmanship and know-how in September issue, Sept 4th, 2015.